The New York Times has a GPS focus in its Circuits section today -- ten articles about GPS devices, free-standing and built-in, from accessories (solar panel charger) to innovative use (pet locator) to data-tracker (think: where did I take this photo?).

Hundreds of column inches. Not a word on the Nokia N810 Internet Tablet, by the way.

One article describes one family's use of GPS in cellphones to help monitor their children's whereabouts. It mostly describes Sprint's $10 monthly Family Locator service (Verizon has something similar).

When Mr. Gray uses the service, he turns to his computer and clicks on the Sprint Web site to locate either child. "Within about a minute, an icon appears on a map showing where the phone is," he said.

The story goes on to quote Charles S. Golvin, an analyst with Forrester Research. The location services complement "one of the main motivations adults have in giving their children cellphones -- to get in touch with them in an emergency." And GPS ties into this because, he notes, "it's a comfort to have a bit more information."

Parents may find an N810 a better present, if only because it combines location and internet calling with a full range of computing. And it seems to me that cam calls are bound to be more frequent and more reassuring on an internet tablet than using the costly telecom alternative.

Originally Posted by deeteroderdas

More precisely, this service will only show you where the GPS device is...a bit pedantic, I know. But if, for example, a child is abducted (heaven forbid!) the first thing an abductor would do is remove the cell phone from the kid and ditch it.

Same with the kid who wants to go somewhere he/she is not supposed to: Leave the phone at a friend's house.

I'm not trying to be negative, but until the GPS is embedded in the child's skin, it's just a neat idea.